BABY WALKERS AN UNDERESTIMATED HAZARD FOR OUR CHILDREN

Baby walkers (BWs) continue to be a frequent cause of head injuries in young children. A random sample survey of 240 families with children aged 2-6 years revealed a use rate of baby walkers of 55%. Of the chil dren using baby walkers 20% were found to have suffered a BW-related a ccident. In a retrospective study we reviewed 172 case reports of infa nts who suffered a BW-related injury between January 1990 and June 199 3. We observed 19 skull fractures, 23 concussions of the brain and 125 contusions and lacerations of the head including 4 teeth luxations an d 3 fractures or distorsions of the upper extremity. BW-related injuri es represent the third most common mode of injury in children aged 7-1 4 months. We conclude that despite previous warnings BW still represen t a frequent cause of severe head injuries in young children. We recom mend a general ban on the sale and manufacture of BWs